1. Elementary PowerPoint 1: Government and Democracy

2. What words come to mind
when you hear the word
GOVERNMENT?

3. Governments are made up of the people and practices put in place to manage a country, nation, province or community.

4. The role of government Create and enforce laws Provide services
Manage land and resources
Make decisions for the benefit of the people living within its borders

5. Different types of government
Not all governments operate in the same way. Governments can be compared by asking the following questions:
How are decisions made?
Who has access to power?
c) What rights and
freedoms are given to
citizens?

6. Do you know an example
of a type of government?
Where is it used?

7. Dictatorship
Political power is concentrated in the hands of one person
The dictator uses forceful control over its people
There is a heavy military presence
Political opposition is forbidden
No independent media
Citizens are not involved in the decisions and matters of the country. There is no concern for their preferences
Limited individual civil and political rights

8. Democracy Power is shared by all citizens
Citizens elect political representatives to make decisions on their behalf
Citizens also have access to power, which means they can choose to run for political office
The law is applied fairly to everyone and no one is above the law, including political leaders (rule of law)
Individual civil and political rights are protected (such as freedom of speech, religion and assembly)

9. What is the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?

10. Monarchy
A monarch (king or queen) or royal family holds political power that is inherited and usually lasts until death
There are two main types:
In an absolute monarchy, a monarch (or dictator) has complete political power
In a constitutional monarchy, a monarch’s power is more symbolic and it is limited by a constitution

11. Constitutional Monarchy
A constitution includes the basic principles and laws of a nation or state that outline the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people
A constitutional monarchy has a democratically elected government with a government leader
The monarch remains the head of state and performs ceremonial duties
Government exercises rule of law

12. Republic A sovereign state, country or government without a monarch
Democratically elected government holds all political power
Government exercises power according to the rule of law
Republics usually have a constitution

13. What are the similarities and differences between a constitutional monarchy and a republic?

14. Consensus Democracy
Consensus refers to general agreement in decision-making
Consensus democracy uses a consensus decision-making model to develop laws and policies
The goal is to be more collaborative and inclusive by gathering a broad range of opinions
In a consensus government, elected representatives do not belong to political party (e.g., Nunavut, Northwest Territories)

15. Government in Canada
Canada’s system of government is a parliamentary democracy
Elected members represent citizens in the federal parliament and provincial/territorial legislatures
The political party with the most representatives forms government
Canada is also a constitutional monarchy and the Queen is the head of state
Every act of government is done in the name of the Queen
The authority for every act comes from the Canadian people through the Constitution
The Constitution of Canada is the highest legal ruling in the country
The Constitution includes laws, decisions by judges, agreements between federal and provincial governments, traditions and civil and political rights

16. Constitution of Canada
An 1867 Act of the British parliament, originally called the British North America Act, outlined Canada’s system of government
In 1982 the Queen came to Canada to sign the Constitution Act, making it law and ensuring Canada’s legislative independence.
It also includes our civil and legal rights outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)

17. In 1983, a student poured red paint on one of two
Interesting Fact
In 1983, a student poured red paint on one of two
copies of the Constitution to protest the Unites States performing cruise missile tests over Canada. The other copy got wet with rain the day Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the Queen signed it.

18. What does democracy mean to you?